Universal tone arm for multispeed record players



Oct. 17, 1950 L. J. ANDRES 2,526,188

UNIVERSAL TONE ARM FOR MULTISPEED RECORD PLAYERS Filed NOV. 26, 1948 :s sheets-sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

L. J. ANDRES Oct. 17, 1950 UNIVERSAL TONE ARM FOR MULTISPEED RECORD PLAYERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 26, 1948 INVENTOR.

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Oct. 17, 1950 J. ANDRES 2,526,188

UNIVERSAL TONE ARM ROR MULTISPEED RECORD PLAYERS Filed Nov. 26, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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Patented Oct. 17, 1950 UNIVERSALTONE ARM Fon MULTISPEED RECORD PLAYERS i Lloyd J. Andres, Chicago, Ill., assignorto Permo, i

Incorporated, Chicag Illinois o, Ill., a. corporation of Application November ze, i948, serial No; V62,090

l Y This invention relates in general tophonographs and more particularly to the combination of aiphonograph turnt ,blev and 4tone v arm for playing two types of disc records..V i The ordinary commercial type of disc record is intended to be rotated at approximately vseventyeight revolutions per minute and played with a stylus having a pointuV radius 'of approximately three mils and .a vertical needle'pressure in the order of one ounce. Recently long playing disc records have become available commercially which require a rotation of thirty-three and onethird revolutions per minute and .a stylus point radius of approximately one mil and a vertical needle pressure in the order of one-fth ofv an ounce.

This invention provides means wherebyV the manual inversion of the pick-up cartridge auto-V matically controls the turntable speed, positions the proper stylus point for engagementwith the record and provides a corresponding proper vertical needle pressure for playing eitherof'the previously mentioned two types of records and comprises a principal object of the invention.

A further objectvof the invention is the pro--V vision of'a two-speed drive foraJ turntable responsive to an electric circuit controlled by theA position of the pick-up cartridge in theftone arm.

Another object of the invention is atone arm' having a spring suspension therein to provide two predetermined needle pressures controlled by the4 positioning of the pick-up cartridge.

Another object of the invention is an adjustable spring suspension means in said tone arm for providing a predetermined needle pressure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a damped diaphragm means for supporting the tone arm and reducing sustained vibration therein. y

A further object of the invention is the -provision of an electric switch and circuit means responsive to the position of the cartridge in the tone arm for controlling the speed of a' turntableI drive. g Y v These and other advantages in oneembodiment of the invention areshown and described in the appended drawings and specification.

Fig. l is a reduced size planv view of Va'record player.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the turntable drive shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation taken through section line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse lcross-sectional plan'vievv of the tone arm shown Fig. 1. 'v Y `5 claims. (c1. 17e-.100.415

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the pick-up cartridge shown in the tone arm Fig. 4 with a portion cutaway. Fig." 6 is a cross-sectional View of the tone arm taken through section line 6-6,^Fig. 1.

Fig. '7v is an enlarged cross-sectional View of the tone arm taken through section line 1-'I, Fig. 1. ,.Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the forward portion of the tone arm shown Fig. 1. I r Fig.r 9 is the same as Fig. 1 with parts in changed position.

Fig. l0 is a schematic wiring diagram in the record player shown Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, a mounting plate I serves as a support for the entire apparatus, a tone arm 2 is pivotally mounted to plate I for horizontal movement about vertical axisv 3, a conventional turntable 4 is journaled for rotation labout its 'axis 5 and is driven by idler wheel 6 in Contact withthe inner periphery of the turntablerim 'I speeds including a motor drive shaft 9, whichA normally engages the rubber rim I0 of the idler wheel 6 for transmitting a' predetermined high speed rotation to the turntable.- f The idler wheelV 6 is journaled on stud 29, which Studis secured in a plate I I slidably positioned in a' guide member I2, which member is pivotally secured tothe plate I on stud I3. AV spring I4 having its ends secured to plate I I and vfixed stud I5 respectively normally urges the idler wheel 6 into driving con-` Vtact with theshaft 9v and the turntable rim 1.

Thus it is apparent that when the motor shaft 9 rotates at a constant predetermined speed the turntable will revolve in a clockwise direction at a constant predeterminedreduced speed deter- I mined by the ratio of diameter of the drive shaft to the diameter of the turntable rim. In order to drive the turntable at a predetermined lower speed a reduction pulley I6 is journaled about a stud I'I` which studis secured in a movable lever I8 which lever is adapted for predetermined I novement,v as shown by'arrcw, about the axis Yof the drive shaft 9 within the limits of a stop stud I9' as shown secured to plate I.` A spring 2D secured at one end to an ear 2I of lever I8 and at its` opposite end to fixed stud v22 normally urges the lever I8` into the position shown. A resilient at belt 23garound driveshaft 9 and reductionk table at the aforementioned predetermined low speed. An electro-magnet 24 is seciu'ed to plate I by bracket 25 and is provided with a plunger 2S adapted for movement in direction shown by arrow. A link 2'! is pivotally connected to the end of plunger 26 and a downward extension 28 of lever I8, better shown Fig. 3.

It is now apparent that when electro-magnet 24 is energized its plunger 26 will move the lever I8 against the restraining action of spring 20 and thereby bring the reduction pulley I6 into contact with the rim Il) of idler wheel S and move idler wheel 6 sufciently far against the restraining action of spring i4 to disengage its peripheral contact with drive shaft 9. Since the idler wheel is free to move in a path concentric with the turntable, the turntable will be driven at a speed governed by the ratio of diamers of the drive shaft 9 and the reduction pulley I5.

When the magnet 24 isole-energized the drive elements will assume the position shown in Fig. 2 by virtue of the tension in the springs I4 and 2U *Referring to Fig. 4, the tone arm 2 shown Fig. 1 comprises a rigid assembly of rear housing'Bil, aY tubular member 3l and a pick-up cartridge housing 32. The pick-up cartridge 33 is lprovided with a symmetrical outer contour and is adapted to be manually withdrawn from the housing 32, rotated 180 degrees and reinserted. It is important that the forked ends 4U and 4I of the housing be constructed to provide a predetermined pressure inward towards the principal axis of the cartridge sufficientv to hold the cartridge in place.

Although the pick-up cartridge may Vbe. any one of several wellknown types,A a crystal type is illustrated in Fig. 5 and clearly shows the symmetrical character of the housing and the use of an upper needle 34 having a tip adapted to engage a particular record groove and a lower needle 35 having a tip 'adapted to engage a different type record groove. Both needles are secured in chuck member 36, to apply a twisting motion to the crystal-,element 37 wheny either of the Vneedles is in engagement with a moving record. The internal. electrical connections of the crystal element 3l are`connected to terminal contacts 38 and 39 respectively, the contact 39 having the purposes to be hereinafter described.

VReferring to Fig. `6,72. vertical tubular spindle 42 is journaled for rotation in plate I by means not shown and serves as a support for the entire tone arm.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, the spindle assembly comprises a resilient diaphragm 43 having a hole in its center resting against a shoulder around the spindle, a bushing 44 and a bracket 45 thereon, withthe riveted end 45 of the spindle holding said elements in rigid relation with each other. TheY outer edge of the diaphragm is rigidly secured in a groove 1n an annulus 4l as shown. A damping washer 48 is secured in a lower groove in the annulus in contact with the lower surface of the diaphragm 43. The diaphragms resistance to stress in predetermined directions may be altered by the strategic placement of apertures therein.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 7, the tone arm 2 is journaled for vertical movement about pivots 49 and Sii positioned in the rear housing 30 for engagement with corresponding cavities 5I and 52 in the annulus 41. Y

The damping disc 48 is preferably .made from.`

greater length for which is adapted Viscoloid or similar damping material and is used to prevent sustained oscillation in the diaphragm which in turn prevents undesirable self-oscillation of the tone-arm during the playing of a record.

A .sprling system for counter-balancing the tone arm is positioned in the rear housing 3D, Figs. 4, 6 and 7, consisting of coiled spring 53 guided at its forward end by a grooved stud 5'5 secured in the housing and retained by a cord 55. The opposite end of the spring 53 is attached to a tongue 5B of a disc 5l, which disc is keyed to a stud 58. The stud is rotatably retained in bracket 45 Vby the s-pring washers 59 and 60. A stop pin 6I secured in bracket 45 is provided to engage two abutments in disc 57 thus preventing the disc 5l being moved beyond a normal range of adjustment. vIt is now apparent that when the stud 58 is rotated a sensitive adjustmentof vertical needle pressure can be attained by virtue of the change of leverage in the point of application of the rear end of the spring 53 `with the axis of vertical movement of the tone arm through pivots 59 and 5S. An aperture 62 is provided in the rear ofthe housing 33 for entry by a screw driver for convenient adjustment of the stud 58. When the disc 5? is positioned as shown in Fig. 7, vthe spring 53` will exert its maximum counter-balancing effect on the tone arm'and hence the minimum needle pressure. When the disc is rotated clockwiser the counter-balancing eifectis adjustably minimizedand a corresponding increase'in needle pressure will result.l

Fig. 8 shows the construction in the housing 32 with the pick-upy cartridge 33 inserted in position Afor playing a record at thirty-three and one-third revolutions per minute and .a small radiusV needle 35 positioned for engaging the record and the tone arm suspension adjusted to provide relatively light needle. pressure correspondirlg to the said needle. Upon inserting the cartridge 33 in the above positiomthe long contact 39 engages terminal clips Sfand 54, which clipsare insulated from each other in suitable cavities in the housing 32. Simultaneously zt lever 65 pivoted about pin gsecuredin the housing moves cord 55, which is anchored to the long end of the lever 65. The sho-rt contact 3S engages with terminal clip 61. Conductors 68 and 69 are connected to clips 63 and 6i respectively and comprise the leads for the electrical sound output of the pick-up. Conductor i5 is connected to clip 64 for the purpose of completing a speed change circuit to be hereinafter described. The above mentioned conductors are intended to be retained in the pick-up arm and run through the bore in the spindle 42 but are omitted for the purpose of clarity in'Figs. 4 and 6.

Fig. 9 shows the position of the elements in thehousing 32 when thev cartridge l.is inverted with respect to its position in Fig. 8, which. positionsneedle 34 rfor playing a standard record and by the action of the changed position oflever E5 lprovides for a predetermined increase' in needle 'pressure and since the short contact 38 does not engage clip 64 a circuit cannot be completed in conductors G8 and 15, which circuit controls the speed of the turntable.

Fig. 10 illustrates a typical electric circuit used in connection .with the tone arm vand turntabie. A grounded conductor. is connectedto one side of a source of electric energy Lrandto'one ter- 11111131 0f mQOr 'IZ Which rotates shaft 9, shown in Fig. 2. Conductor llis also connected to terminal clip 63 and to one side ofthe sound-output L3. Conductor 13 `is connected to the remaining side of a l'source ofj electric energy L2 and to l one side of .an on-oftswitchve. Theremaining side of the switch is connected byaconductor i4 I to theremainingterminallofuthe motor 12 and one terminal of electro-magnet 24; The remaining'terminal of electro-magnet 24 -is connected 'oy conductor l5 to terminalolip 64; rlhe remaining clip 61- is connected 'by conductor 'f6 to the remaining sound output terminal L4. 'The contacts 38 and 39 of the pick-up`33 are shown in position corresponding u-itlrithaty shown in Fig. 8, in which position a, ciicuit'tothe electro-magnet 24 is established for positioning the turntable drive elements shownin Fig, 2 to rotate the turntable at its slow speed. Thus it is apparent that the simple expedient of :manually inverting the pick-up cartridge will automatically present the proper needle land needle pressure and turntable speed for playing either of .two types of phonograph records. Y Y AIt will be apparent tofthose skilled inthe art that mechanical equivalents for'the cord 55 and electric equivalents for the switch terminal clips 63 and and 61 are intended'to come within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Having ldescribed my inventioml clai'mzf,

1. In a phonograph adapted toiplay both predetermined high and predetermined low speed disk records, a turn table, 'drive means lfor driving said turn table at leither saidV high or said low speed, electromagnet' means connected to said transmission means, means .for deenergizng said electromagnet means, means for 'energizing said electromagnet means, means whereby said transmission means drives said turn table at a high speed when said electromagnet means is deenergized and at low speed when said electromagnet means is energized, a tone arm', a resilient member, means whereby said tone arm is secured to said resilient member, means whereby said member and turn table are supported for rotation about a vertical fixed axis, an electric pick-up. means whereby said electric pick-up is detachably secured in the other end of said tone arm, said pick-uo having a rst needle for engaging high speed records projecting downwardly from one side thereof and a second needle for engaging low speed records projection upwardly from the other side thereof, contacts of different size extending into said one end of said tone arm, said pick-up having output connections terminating in said contacts, lever means pivotally secured in said one end of said arm, spring suspension means positioned in said other end of'said tone arm for counteracting Ythe -weight of said tone arm a normal predetermined degree corresponding with said rst needle, electric switch means'in said arm, means whereby said electric switch means is responsive to the position of said contacts, electric circuit means for connecting said switch'means and saidV electromagnet means with a source of electric energy,

means upon the insertion of said pick-up in said arm With said second needle positioned to plair said low speed records for moving said lever in said suspension means by one of said contactsto counteract the weight of said tone arm a predetermined degree corresponding with said second needle and for energizing said electro-magnet means to operate said turn table at said Vlow speed, and means upon the insertion of said pickup in said arm'with the first needle positioned Aterminating in said contacts,

to play said high speed records for moving said lever means and said suspension means to counteract the weight ofthe said tone arm the said normal predetermined degree corresponding with said first needle and for deenergizing said electro-magnet means to operate said turn table at said high speed.

2. In a phonograph adapted to play both predetermined high and predetermined low -speed disk records, a turntable, drive means for driving said turntable at either said high or said low speed, a tone arm, a support, means for pivotally securing one end of the tone arm to said support, means whereby said supportis journalled for yrotation about Va vertical xed axis', an electric pick-up, means for detachably 'securing said pick-up' in the other end of said tone arm, said pick-up having a first needle for engaging high speed records projectingV downwardly from one side thereof and a second nee`r dle for engaging low speed records projecting upwardly from .the other side thereof,contacts'of different size extending into said one end orsaid tone arm, said pick-up having output connections a spring suspension network consisting'of means secured in the pick-up end of said tone arm and'means posi` tioned in said other end of said tone arm-.spring means connected between each means lof said spring suspension network, l said rst ofA these two means having a displacement means whereby it is responsive to the position-of said conta'cts and whereby it tensions the spring means and counteracts the weight of said tone arm a different predetermined degree corresponding with said second needle when said pick-up is secured with the second needle projecting downwardly.

3. In a phonograph tone arm and support, said support journalled for rotation about a Vertical xed axis, one end of said tone arm being pivotally mounted on said support, lever means, means for pivotally` securing said lever means in the other end of said arm, an electric pick-up, said pick-up having contact members of different size, said contacts adapted to. be variably positioned in said other end of said arm and alternately engageable with said lever means, spring means for normally urging said tone arm against the action of gravity, said spring having one end connected to said lever means and its opposite end connected to said support, means to adjust the effective weight of said arm, said last named means including pivoting said lever means by varying the position of said contacts whereby the opposite end of said spring is moved toward or away from said vertical axis.

' 4. In a phonograph adapted to play both predetermined high and predetermined low speed disk records, a turntable, drive means for driving said turntablev at either said high or said low speed, a tone arm, a support, means for pivotally securing one end `of said arm to said support, means whereby said support is journalled for rotation about a vertical xed axis, an electric pick-up, means for detachably securing said pickup in the other end of said tone arm, said pick-up Y having a first needle for engaging high speed said arm, a spring retainer member, means for securing said spring retainer member to said support means, a spring suspension network, said spring suspension consisting of means secured in the pick-up end of said tone arm, means positioned in the said other end of said tone arm, a spring means connected between each means of said spring suspension network, said rst of these two means having a displacement means whereby it is responsive to the position of said contacts and whereby it tensions the spring means and counteracts the weight of said tone arm a normal predetermined degree corresponding with said rst needle when said pick-up is secured with first needle projecting downwardly and for adjusting said lever means for counteracting the weight of said tone arm at a different predetermined degree corresponding with said second needle when said pick-up is secured with the second needle projecting downwardly.

5. In a phonograph adapted to play both predetermined high and predetermined low speed disk records, a turntable, drive means for driving said turntable at either said high or said low speed, a tone arm, a support, means for pivotally securing one end of said arm to said sup-4 port, means whereby said support is journalled for rotation about a vertical fixed axis, an electric pick-up, said pick-up having a first needle for engaging high speed disk records and a second needle for engaging low speed disk records, said pick-up mounted on said arm, said pick-up having output connections terminating in con tacts of diierent sizes, means for adjusting the eiective weight of said arm, said last named means including a, spring suspension network secured in the pick-up end of said arm and means positioned in the other end of said arm, spring means connected'between each means of said spring suspension network, said first of these two means having displacement means whereby it is responsive to the position of said contacts and whereby it tensions the spring means and counteracts the weight of said tone arm a different predetermined degree corresponding with said ,second needle when said pick-up is secured with the second needle projecting downwardly.

LLOYD J. ANDRES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,822,932 Loughridge Sept. 15, 1931 2,069,136 Durand Jan. 26, 1937 2,113,401 Goldsmith Apr. 5, 1938 2,157,065 Madle May 2, 1939 2,222,552 Daily Nov. 19, 1940 2,262,731 Gruber Nov. l1, 1941 2,269,263 Guedon Jan. 6, 1942 2,320,427 Guedon June 1, 1943 2,375,658 Johnson May 8, 1945 2,438,264 Bender Mar. 23, 1948 2,438,265 Metzner Mar. 23, 1948 

